Stripes beat Hibernians with a goal in each half

by Ayrton Galea - 27th June 2013

A goal in each half saw Birkirkara ending their Euro Cup Friendly Tournament on a fine note as the Champions defeated Hibernians with a 2-0 score.

By this win, Valletta won the friendly tournament as they finished with seven points, followed by Hibernians with 4 points while Birkirkara and Sliema Wanderers collected three points each.

In a match that never reached any particular level, the Stripes were sharp enough to turn their chances into goals to end their Euro Cup commitments on a good note as they picked their first points of the competitions thanks to this win.

Birkirkara created the best ideas throughout the whole match but Hibernians did not throw in the towel as they were resilient in their match, and created scoring chances but the Stripes' defence was solid and was hardly ever penetrated.

Once again, both teams were keener to assess their promising youngsters rather than to win the match as both teams had several young players in their formation. One such player that was given a chance in this early stage of the season, Kurt Zammit, aged 17, who was included mid-way through the second half caught the eye of those present thanks to his skills.

Birkirkara fielded Ricardo Jimenez a Spanish defender currently on trial with the Club, and former Valletta striker, Demba Toure as the new faces in the squad. Ricardo Jimenez began the match while Demba Toure was included as a substitute. Zach Muscat was also back in the squad.

On the other hand, Rowen Muscat, Ryan Scicluna and Gareth Sciberras were missing for the Stripes. Justin Haber began the match on the reserves bench.

The First Half

Both teams took quite a bit to settle down as the match started on a slow rhythm which began to increase as time went by.

Birkirkara went close on the 15th minute. Shola Shodiya served Luke Montebello on the run but Shodiya's through ball was too long for the former Livorno striker and goalkeeper Daniel Balzan anticipated in time.

The Stripes should have surged ahead on the 20th minute when Shodiya served Montebello who had his close-range effort deflected into a corner kick.

Birkirkara broke the dead-lock on the 28th minute when Ryan Camenzuli's corner, was deflected to surprise goalkeeper Daniel Balzan to put the Stripes in the lead.

Hibernians had no time to make any sort of reaction before the Stripes almost made them two just three minutes later. Ryan Camenzuli, who was creating danger on Birkirkara's left side, made some fine foot-work, cutting inside the box and sending a perfect cross in direction of Alejandro Mendoza but the Spaniard's effort ended wide.

Hibernians threatened to equalise on the 34th minute when off a short clearance, the Paolites' shot from outside the box ended over.

Birkirkara were quick to reply as they created a dangerous opportunity just two minutes later. Shola Shodiya, who was being a continuous torment with his passes, served Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza whose powerful volley was blocked in style by goalkeeper Balzan.

Four minutes from half time, Paul Fenech tried his luck with a long distance shot which ended wide. Minute later, Hibernians had a powerful free-kick saved by Reuben Gauci.

The first half saw the Stripes exchanging play with the Paolites but enjoying a single goal advantage.

The Second Half

In the half-time interval, Birkirkara made two substitutions as Fabian Zammit and Sekhana Koko replaced Zach Muscat and Ryan Camenzuli.

Birkirkara created the first opportunity of the second half on the 52nd minute. The Stripes' made the best out of a defensive blunder to win possession in a critical position, and caught Hibernians in a three-versus-two situation. However Luke Montebello's pass was too strong, with goalkeeper Daniel Balzan coming out of his place to neutralise the danger.

The Stripes continued to show better ideas than the Paolites and on the 61st minute, they went close yet again to double the lead. Shola Shodiya made a good run on the right side and sent a perfect cross in direction of substitute Sekhana Koko but the latter's powerful effort from close range was deflected into a corner by a defender.

Hibernians seemed not to be able to deal with the Birkirkara's aggressive play, as the latter went close once again just two minutes later. Easily one of the best players of the match, Shola Shodiya performed a wonderful solo-action, which he concluded with a powerful shot which brought the best out of promising goalkeeper Balzan with a fine save.

Twenty minutes in the second half, Birkirkara made their third change of the match as seventeen year old Kurt Zammit replaced Luke Montebello.

Kurt Zammit was denied from leaving his mark in an excellent way just one minute later. Shodiya served the unmarked Zammit whose well-placed shot was deflected to hit the crossbar.

Hibernians had their first scoring attempt on the 68th minute when substitute Andrew Cohen tried his luck with a powerful shot from outside the box which goalkeeper Reuben Gauci saved without any particular difficulty.

Birkirkara made a series of substitutions between the 72nd minute and 81st minute of the match as the Stripes made four substitutions. On the 72nd minute, Demba Toure replaced Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, and two minutes later Michael Camilleri replaced Shola Shodiya. McAllisther Clinch replaced Joseph Zerafa on the 77th minute, and then Justin Haber replaced Reuben Gauci on the 81st minute.

The Stripes continued to have the best scoring opportunities as they created another fine opportunity. On the 83rd minute, Edward Herrera had a powerful long distance shot saved in two attempts with difficulty by goalkeeper Daniel Balzan.

However, have been creating opportunity after opportunity, the second goal was in the air and it was no surprise that three minutes from time, the Stripes doubled the lead. Following a series of short passes, Kurt Zammit sent Demba Toure through, whom all alone against the goalkeeper kept calm to place the ball at the back of the net.

Just before the full-time whistle, Hibernians had a great opportunity to pull once back but Justin Haber performed a great save from a close-range effort to keep the Stripes' rear-guard with a successful clean-sheet.

The referee's full time-whistle found Birkirkara ending their tournament commitments with a fine win that fills with courage and optimism the Birkirkara clan in the next days of preparations in view of the UEFA Champions League.

Birkirkara: Reuben Gauci (81' Justin Haber), Zach Muscat (45' Fabian Zammit), Joseph Zerafa (77' McAllisther Clinch), Alejandro Mendoza, Ricardo Jimenez, Paul Fenech, Edward Herrera, Ryan Camenzuli (45' Sekhana Koko), Shola Shodiya (74' Michael Camilleri), Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (72' Demba Toure), Luke Montebello (65' Kurt Zammit).

Hibernians: Daniel Balzan, Timothy Tabone, Matthew Tabone, Keith Tanti, Scott Chircop, Neil Chetcuti, Bjorn Kristensen, Brandon Muscat, Steve Pisani, Luis Edison Dos Santos, Obinna Obiefule.

Yellow Cards: 33' Luke Montebello.

Scorers: 28' Ryan Camenzuli, 87' Demba Toure

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